Ratchet tool



May 7, 1929. H. J. HARROLD 1, 12,433

Filed Dec. 26, 1928 Patented May 7, 1929.

HARVEY J. I-IAREDLD, O]? COLUMBIANA, OHIO.

RATCHET TOOL.

Application filed l'Jecember 26, 1928. Serial No. 328,383.

This invention relates to a ratchet tool, such as a screw driver, the general object of the invention being to provide ratchet means :tor connecting the shank with the handle and spring means for normally holding the parts in a position with the ratchet means disencaged whereby the shank can be intermittently rotated in either direction from the handle without retrograde movement oil. the shank, by simply releasing; pressure on the handle to permit the spring to disengage the ratchet means so that the handle can be given a reve movement and then by again applying pressure to the handle, the ratchet means will be engaged and another turning nioven'ient imparted to the shank from the handle.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the art-oinpimying drawing: and rape cilical y pointed out in the appended claim.

in describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding: parts throughout the several views, and in which l iuure 1 is an elevation of the improved tool, with the handle and its associated parts in section.

Figure 2 is a section on line- 22 of il ig'ure l.

l igure 5 Figure 1.

Figure 4: is a perspective view of the upper part of the sleeve or tube.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional View through the upper part of the sleeve or tube.

in these views, the numeral 1 indicates the shank and 2 the handle of a screw driver, said handle having a central bore extending part- .vay through the same to receive a sleeve or tube 3, the lower end of which projects from the lower end of the handle, and this lower end of the tube is formed with the ratchet teeth l which are of V-shape so as to provide a two-way ratchet. A pin 5 passes through the shank and is adapted to engage the teeth when the handle is pressed downwardly is a section on line 3-3 of against the action of the spring 6 which is arranged in the upper part of the tube and bears against the upper end of the shank.

A ferrule 7 is connected with the lower end of the handle and surrounds the lower end of the sleeve and that portion of the shank which carries the pin 5 so that the ferrule encloses these parts and limits the separating lIIOVGITIQIIl] ot the handle and shank by the spring. Portions of the ferrule are upset into the handle, as shown at 8, to hold the ferrule on the handle. The upper end of the sleeve is formed with the pointed projections 9 which are driven into the wood of the handle to hold the sleeve in place, and a tongue 7 10 formed on this end of the sleeve or tube which is bent over to close the upper end of the tube, as shown in Figures 1, 4: and 5, to provide a rest for the upper end of the'spring.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this device will permit the shank to be turned by the handle in-either direction when the handle is pressed downwardly to place the teeth 4 in engagement with the pin 5 and after a partial turning IDOVGHIOIIt has been. made by releasing the pressure on the handle, the spring will separate the ratchet -1neans so that the handle can be turned to properly position the hand for another turning movement and then by pressing the handle downwardly to rcengage the ratchet means, another turning movement of the shank can be made. Thus a screw can be driven home very quickly and with the least possible etl'ort and without danger of the blade slipping from the kerf in the screw or the shank and screw being turned reversely.

.lt is thought from the foregoing description that the zulvantages and novel li'eatures of the invention. will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A tool of the class described comprising a shank, a handle, a sleeve fitting in a bore in the lmndle and having one end projecting from the handle, said projecting end having ratchet teeththereon, projections on the shank engaging the teeth, a spring in the sleeve bearing against the shank for normally holding the ratchet means in inoperative position, a ferrule connected with the handle and enclosing the ratchet means and limiting the relative movement of the shank and handle by the spring, the upper end of the sleeve having pointed projections thereon for engaging the parts of the handle and a bent over tongue on the upper end of the sleeve for forming a rest for the upper end of the spring.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARVEY J. HARRULD. 

